LAHORE - Punjab Commission on the Status of Womenorganised a seminar on 16-days activism campaign to end violence against women and girls at Government Islamia College Civil Lines Lahore.

Every year, from November 25 to December 10, the United Nations, international agencies, governments, non-government organisations and community-based bodies partake in an international campaign to end violence against women and girls.

PCSW Chairperson Fauzia Viqar stated that the stability and growth of any society is directly linked to the status of women therefore to raise voice against any act of violence against women and girls must be taken as a great cause.

She urged students to contribute actively to building a strong, value-based society.

The PCSW operates a toll-free helpline, 1043, to provide information about women's rights and services, and registers complaints in case of lack of response or inaction by government in Punjab.

Lahore Commissioner Abdullah Khan said that the government is fully dedicated to end the violence against women which needs the cooperation of all concerned to make it successful move.

Capacity-building training for women councillors starts

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LAHORE

Punjab Minister for Women Development Hameeda Waheed Uddin has said that capacity-building training of 3,663 women councillors has begun in nine divisional headquarters during the Annual Development Programme 2017-18.

Addressing the launching ceremony of training/ awareness of local bodies’ women caucus on “Punjab Women Empowerment Initiatives” at the divisional level here on Thursday, she said the training would continue throughout the year in phases.

Provincial Secretary WDD Bushra Aman gave briefing the participants about the details of training programme. The provincial minister said that womenfolk were not usually well aware of their legal and social rights at the grassroots. “The capacity building training of women

councillors will serve as a beneficial tool to disseminate the desired initiatives to the public to break stereotypes about women’s status in society and to achieve targets set in the Sustainable Development Goals. “Enhanced gender empowerment will ultimately lead to gender equity and women empowerment in society,” added the minister.

Hameeda said that the idea behind the concept was that if these elected women councillors were fully sensitised about the Punjab women empowerment initiatives, then it will go a long way in attainment of the ultimate goals of gender equality and legal empowerment of women.

“Women caucus can play a bridging role between common women, an important segment of our society and the government; they can assist women not only in resolving their fundamental issues at their doorsteps but existing opportunities and rights can also be availed systematically,” concluded the minister. A large number of women councillors were present on the occasion.